Goodbye to Yoga

I figured it was time I checked in again. The last couple of weeks have been hot and sunny, so I’ve spent all my spare time at the beach. After my morning class, I’ll hop on Margarita and hit one of the closer beaches, usually Haad Yao about 5 kms away. I’ll have lunch and a swim, and then head back in time for the afternoon class. The sun is brutally hot, so I’ll bob around in the sea for ages trying to stay cool. I’ve put a few photos up on Flickr and will try to add one or two here so you can get a feel for the beaches.

I had my last yoga class yesterday and can’t say that I’m sorry it’s over. The staff are really inspirational – they’re all so healthy and happy and clearly walking a beautiful spiritual path. But despite its obvious benefits, I have come to realise that it’s not my path. Having said that, I have learned a lot here and there are some great lessons that I’ll be taking away with me.

I have made some great friends here, particularly a couple of women who have been fabulous company. I can’t believe that I’ll be leaving them in a couple of days and will be on my own again. It has really become comfortable here, with everyone popping in on each other and having meals together. I can’t go anywhere without bumping into someone I know. I guess that’s what happens when you stay in the same place long enough, and I have to keep reminding myself that I’ll be building a whole new network of friends in Nepal. I have been in touch with a couple of women in Nepal who I was introduced to via a woman at home. I look forward to meeting them in person when I get to Kathmandu and hope that they will help me out with both professional and personal relationships there.

It was my intention to spend my last couple of days on the island enjoying the beaches, but the weather changed coincident with my last yoga class. It has been overcast and today is much cooler. I’m not overly disappointed – despite the “unbeachability” of it, the drop in temperature is a blessing. I started running in the mornings before class, and it has been about 27 degrees at 6:30 AM, which is pretty tough. Today the high was only about 28 – it was really nice. I’m happy to do some more exploring (although I’ve covered pretty much every inch of the island) or just read to fill the time.

Today I signed up for an on-line TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course. As much as I really don’t think teaching is my thing, it would pretty much guarantee me work in Nepal. One of my contacts in Nepal is connected with a college there, and she suggested that this might be an option for me. I think I could handle it if I were to teach adults or young adults – obviously putting me in a room full of children would spell disaster for everyone involved. I also like the idea of teaching business English to adults in the business community. Anyway, I’ll take the course even if I don’t end up using it; no learning is wasted as far as I’m concerned.

So that’s pretty much it for now. I’ll be in Cambodia by the end of the week, which I’m really looking forward to. My ballot is waiting for me there so assuming I can get it back to Ottawa in time, I’ll be able to vote in the upcoming election (for all the good it will do). I trust you all will do the same.